Rebuilding Together #5: Restoring Justice
Opening: Restoring Justice takes place along with restoring God’s Kingdom.
“Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers.” (v. 1)
I. DRIVEN BY THE FEAR OF GOD.
“So I said, ‘The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?’” (v. 9)
Compassion = Com + Passion
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalms 111:10a)
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
Bereshit – In the beginning
“I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.” (v. 6)
“I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials.” (v. 7)
“Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you… You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food from profit.” (Leviticus 25:36-37)
“When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.” (Exodus 21:2)
II. RESTORED BY THE GRACE OF GOD.
“Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest.” (v. 10)
“To consider persons and events and situations only in the light of their effect upon myself is to live on the doorstep of hell.” (Thomas Merton)
III. EXECUTED BY THE COMMUNITY OF GOD.
“Then they said, ‘We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.’ And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised.” (v. 12)
Closing: Those who love God are given social responsibility.